As Broomfield Hospital A and E continues to experience high demand the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is urging everyone to make use of alternative health services over the Christmas and New Year holidays. 

If you need health advice or care fast and are not sure where to go, try calling NHS 111 – it’s free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

When you call 111 you will be put through to a team of highly trained advisers, who are supported by experienced nurses and paramedics.

They will ask questions to assess your symptoms and either give you the health care advice you need, or direct you to the right local service whether it be an out of hours GP, late-night pharmacy, emergency dentist or, if it’s needed, an ambulance.

For minor illnesses or if you feel poorly please consider these ways of getting treatment, with further online advice from www.nhs.uk

1. Treat yourself for simple illness and minor cuts, sprains and burns. Keep simple painkillers and cough remedies in a safe place at home and have a first aid kit handy.

2. Ask your local pharmacist for advice on minor illness. They can provide expert advice and simple treatments. See www.midessexccg.nhs.uk for opening times.

3. Check with your local GP surgery. GP surgeries are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but are otherwise open over the festive period.

4. The opening times and locations of all local NHS services can be found via www.nhs.uk

Patients who require repeat medications are asked to plan ahead so that you’re not left without vital medicine over the holidays: if you need to get to the doctor’s surgery for a repeat prescription, make sure you provide your practice with plenty of notice to prepare your repeat prescription in time.

Don’t forget to collect your prescription medicines, check when your GP surgery and pharmacy is open over the holidays.

The opening times of local pharmacies are listed below: 

Christmas Day
Govani Chemist, 14 Queen Elizabeth Square, South Woodham Ferrers, 10:00 - 12:00
Colecross Ltd, 1 Hylands Parade, Wood Street, Chelmsford, 10:00 - 12:00
Savages, 20-22 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, 11:00 - 13:00
Borno Chemist Ltd, 124 Newlands Street Witham 9:00 – 11:00
Braintree Pharmacy 10 Great Street, Braintree, 11:30 – 13.30

Boxing Day
Boots Pharmacy, 43 High Chelmer, Chelmsford, 8:00 - 18:00
Sainsbury’s Pharmacy, 2 White Hart Lane, Chelmsford, 10:00 - 17:00
Boots Pharmacy, Unit 2B Chelmer Village Retail Park, Springfield, 7:00 - 18:00
Boots Pharmacy, 7 George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree, 10:00 - 16:00
Boots Pharmacy, 69-71 High Street, Halstead, 10:00 - 16:00

New Year’s Day
Boots Pharmacy, 43 High Chelmer, Chelmsford, 10:30 - 18:30
Sainsbury’s Pharmacy, 2 White Hart Lane, Chelmsford, 09:00 - 19:00
Boots Pharmacy, Unit 2B Chelmer Village Retail Park, Springfield, 10:00 - 18:00
Boots Pharmacy, 7 George Yard Shopping Centre, Braintree 10:00 - 16:00
Boots Pharmacy, 69-71 High Street, Halstead 10:00 - 16:00